Cartridge winding machine

ABSTRACT

An automatic cartridge winding machine, a preferred embodiment of which provides means responding to receipt of a strip of abrasive surfaced material to wind the same to a generally cylindrical or conical form, to seal the strip to such form and to responsively eject the same as a finished product.

ite 11 States Patent All [451 Mar. 2, 1972 [54] CARTRIDGE WINDING MACHINE 3,438,831 4/1969 0mm ..156/446 3,505,150 4/1970 Andersson. 156/446 [72] lnventor. giiigkggli, 2973 Pascal Drive, Fairborn, 2,177,260 M939 Laube 0 156/173 2,752,101 6/1956 Harmon.. .....242/4l X [22] Filed: Sept. 30,1969 2,010,475 8/1935 Bowen ..l56/173 X [2]] Appl' 86226l Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-Daniel Bent [52] U.S. Cl ..l56/357 Attorney-Jerome P. Bloom [51] Int. Cl ..B05b 3/02 [58] Field of Search ..156/446, 449, 431, 173, 175, [57] ABSTRACT 156/350 357; 242/57 41 An automatic cartridge winding machine, a preferred embodiment of which provides means responding to receipt of a strip [56] References Cited of abrasive surfaced material to wind the same to a generally UNITED STATES PATENTS cylindrical or conical fonn, to seal the strip to such form and to responsively eject the same as a finished product. 634,191 10/1899 Truyter ..242/74. 2,843,688 7/1958 Masem ..242/57 15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 'llllllllllllllll Illllllllllllllllll P'ATENTEU rm 2 8 I972 SHEET 1 UP 4 INVENTOR FRANK F. ALI

A TTOR/VE Y PATENTEDMAR28 m2 3,652,364

SHEET 2 BF 4 //V VE/V TOR FRANK F. ALI

A TTORNE Y CARTRIDGE WINDING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a novel machine which automates the production of strip wound abrasive cartridges and like products. It will be described in reference to its particular advantage and utility in the creation of abrasive surfaced tool components.

Abrasive cartridges have assumed a particular and unique place in industry. They are required for a multitude of grinding and polishing applications and occur in various size and shape, each being variously designed to fit the particular application. 1

Heretofore the described cartridges have had to be formed and wound in a slow, primarily manual procedure, each successive operation being dependent on the dexterity and skill of the operator. Moreover, separate lines have had to be set up for each different product of this type. Accordingly production has been correspondingly slow and unit cost relatively high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the noted problems of the prior art. With a preferred embodiment abrasive surfaced material may be fed in any size strips and in the process there is applied adhesive backing, the strip wound to the configuration required, there is a welding of the strip in its wound form, and the so resultant abrasive cartridge caused to be ejected. The invention system and process produces an automatic fabrication of the finished cartridge rolls in an extremely rapid manner. The products are completely uniform and the same equipment may be applied to a wide variety of different products. The invention thus obviates not only the problems of the prior art but enables a single attendant to produce improved cartridge type abrasive or like rolls in amounts corresponding to a substantial multiple of what a single employee could produce using the prior art methods and apparatus directed to the same purpose.

A primary object of the invention is to provide cartridge forming apparatus which is economical to fabricate, more efficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications, and unlikely to malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cartridge winding machine which functions automatically and minimizes the need for unnecessary handling of the cartridge product.

A further object of the invention is to provide a winding unit for abrasive surfaced and like strip material embodying automatic cycling means for producing firmly wound cartridges in a manner to render them more durable.

Another object of the invention is to significantly reduce the cost of manufacturing rolled abrasive and like products.

An added object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for forming strip wound abrasive and like cartridge rolls possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics, and the means or mode ofoperation herein described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein shown one but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a cartridge winding machine in accordance with the invention, partly in section for clarity of disclosure, and FIG. la is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section, taken substantially along the line la In of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 with parts broken away for clarity of disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of operating components ofthe apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in a strip feeding position;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 5, with parts broken away for clarity of disclosure;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged views showing details of the invention structure, particularly referenced to strip winding components;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the initial feed of a strip to the invention apparatus; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the controls for the invention apparatus.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT The invention embodiment here illustrated is supported on a table structure 10 including rectangularly positioned legs 11 interconnected at the top by a rectangular frame and provided at their bottom with suitable flange portions through the medium of which the table may be anchored to a floor. Mounted on the legs 1 1 is a metal plate forming a table top 12. The plate 12 is variously apertured to accommodate the projection therethrough and the mount thereon of the various components of the invention system.

Adjacent one lateral extremity there is a first opening 13 in the table 12 which is spanned by a bridging framework 14. The latter includes downwardly divergent legs 15 the lower ends of which are secured to the table, spaced to either side of the opening 13, and the upper ends of which are intercon nected by a plate portion 16. The plate portion 16, thereby disposed in a parallel, vertically spaced, relation to the table top 12, is provided with an aperture defined by an internally threaded interconnected sleeve 20 through which projects a threadedly engaged, vertically oriented jack screw 17. The upper end of the screw 17 has fixed thereto an operating handle 18 while its dependent extremity has fixed thereon a cylindrically formed anvil portion 19. The screw 17 further mounts, above the sleeve 20, a threadedly engaged sleeve 20 which may serve as a limiting device, in respect to its downward adjustment.

Fixed to depend from the bottom of the plate 12 in a coaxial relation to the jack screw 17 is a conventionally available compound pneumatic-hydraulic cylinder constituting a control unit 21. Its piston rod 22 projects upwardly through the opening 13 to present below and in vertically aligned relation to the anvil 19 a matching anvil portion 23. The latter has a threaded engagement to the upper end of rod 22 to abut a laterally projected limiting arm 24. The arm 24 is also threadedly engaged to the rod 22 and a laterally projected extremity thereof is suitably fixed to the upper end of a vertically dependent rack 25. The rack 25 depends through the opening 13 in a sense parallel to the axis of the unit 21 and the rod 22. Below the plate 12 and the back 25 has a surface geared and is in a driving relation to a meshed pinion 26. It will be seen that the provision for the tapped aperture in one end of the arm 24, by means of which it may be threadedly engaged to and adjustable on rod 22, and the threaded connection of the anvil 23 enables a precise adjustment of the anvil 23 and thereby a precise timing of the drive of the pinion 26.

To explain further the nature of unit 21, within its tubular housing and intermediate the length thereof, (FIG. 10) as schematically illustrated, is a centrally apertured bridging plate 27 forming therein an upper chamber 28 and a lower chamber 29. The rod 22 projects through said bridging plate, a seal being formed thereabout, to mount in the lower end of chamber 28 a piston head 30A and in the lower end of chamber 29 a head 308. A cycling shuttle valve 31 at the lower end of unit 21 operates to direct air under pressure to l0l029 man head 308 to drive the rod 22 upwardly, the limit of travel being defined by the precise position of anvil 23 and its limiting abutment with anvil 19, in the process of which to operate a switch 32 for purposes to be further described. Air pressure is relieved on head 30B and directed to the top of chamber 29 through a conduit 33 whereby to retract the piston rod 22. At the same time the air is cycled, in correspondence with its direction, hydraulic fluid is cycled from one side to the other of piston head 30A in chamber 28. Flow of the hydraulic fluid is under the control of a metering needle valve 34 so that displacement and speed of displacement of rod 22 is precisely controlled.

Thus, as will be seen, there are means for precisely defining the cycle and period of reciprocation of rod 22 and thereby the degree and timing of the direct and reversing drive of pinion 26.

A driving force is directed form pinion 26 by way of a shaft 35 which commonly mounts on its projected extremity a relatively large diameter gear 36. Gear 36 is enmeshed with a pinion 26 and drives through its connected shaft 35 a gear 36. The latter projects through a second opening in the plate 12 to mesh with a smaller gear 37. The shafts 35 and 35 are suitably supported to the bottom of table 12 in bearings 38 which have a fixed mount to the table structure. In turn, a shaft 39 is rotatably supported immediately above, and in spaced parallel relation to the top of plate 12, in bearings 40. The gear 37 is fixed in a driving relation to shaft 39, the latter of which is positioned immediately forward of the framework 14 and orients in a sense laterally of the table. The end of shaft 39 remote from gear 37 and frame 14 projects to and through a passage 41 formed longitudinally of a block 42. Block 42 is fixed on one end of plate means 43, lateral extremities of which slide in and ride under and in recesses defined at the top of the plate 12 by gibs 44. Gibs 44 provide guides for the plate 43 to accommodate a reciprocating movement thereof to be further described.

Please note that the plate means 43 has a central longitudinally extending slot and mounts at its end remote from the block 42 a second block 42' including a pair of longitudinally spaced vertically projected plate segments 45 and 46. The segment 46 most remote from block 42 has interconnected therewith the projected extremity of a piston rod 47. The piston head portions (not shown) of rod 47 bear in the cylindrical housing 48 ofa control unit 49 which may be similar to the unit 21 and function in a similar manner. Accordingly, the details of the unit 49 are not further described except to note that the shuttle valve thereof is energized for cycling air under pressure to reciprocate in the gibs 44 the plate means 43.

The plate segments 45 and 46 have in the path and to the sides thereof longitudinally spaced switches 51, 51', 52 and 52' the purpose ofwhich shall be further described.

Returning to the shaft 39, its remote end which projects through the block 42 has a cylindrical recess in which is fixed one end of an axially projected cylindrically formed mandrel 53. The projected portion of the mandrel has a longitudinally extending groove 54 which is generally uniform in width except for an arcuately tapered expansion at the end thereof remote from the block 42. This last modification is to facilitate the application of an abrasive or like strip to be wound on the mandrel to cartridge form. It will be obvious that movement of the rack 25 will concurrently produce a corresponding rotation ofthe mandrel 53.

As shown in the drawings, suitable means 55 cap the end of the block 42 to bearingly support the adjacent end of the shaft 39 and the mandrel 53. The bearing means 55 incorporates a rotatable bearing plate 56 through which projects the mandrel 53 and against which the base end of a cartridge may be wound. This insures that a cartridge is formed square at its base end and precludes a wear of the adjacent bearing surface as would be occasioned ifthe bearing plate were fixed.

Fixed to the rear portion of the top of table 12 and at right angles to the mandrel 53 is a third control unit 57 which may be such as the previously described units 21 and 49. The shuttle valve of the unit 57 is under the control of two oppositely facing solenoids 58 and 59.

In the case of the unit 57, its piston rod 60 has the projected extremity thereof threadedly engaged in and centrally of the base ofa U-shaped frame 61, oriented on its side and backed by a lock or strip nut 62. The frame 61 opens in the direction of the mandrel and the open ends thereof project perpendicular thereto and include thereon inwardly directed flange portions 63 which cup about the expanded head of a control rod 64 so as to permit relative motion therebetween.

The rod 64 extends through and in bearing relation to a block 65 fixed to the top of the plate 12. The projected extremity of rod 64 is threadedly engaged in one end of a block 66. The relatively opposed adjacent end surfaces of the block 65 and 66 have similarly formed therein aligned recesses to seat therein and therebetween a pair of compression springs 67. The springs 67 are equidistantly spaced to either side of the rod 64, parallel thereto and to normally influence a bias of the block 66 in the direction of the mandrel.

The block 66 has side projections confined in slide guide 68 to either side whereby to facilitate its cyclic reciprocation under the influence of the control unit 57, through the medium of the rod 60. Fixed to the block 66 at the side thereof most remote from block 42 is an elongate bar 69. The bar 69 extends forwardly of the block 66 to project in the direction of, at right angles to and immediately adjacent the outermost end of the mandrel 53. Fixed to the projected extremity of bar 69, at right angles thereto and in parallel forwardly spaced relation to the block 66, is an elongate pivot pin on which is bearingly confined and rotatably mounted a tubular roller element 70.

Observing the drawings, it will be there seen that there is a lost motion relation of the roller 70 and its connected structure accommodated by springs 67 so as to accommodate a pressured movement thereof as influenced by a strip element being wound on the mandrel 53. This will be further described.

The bar 69 mounts in projected relation thereto a control portion 71 which functions to operate a switch 72 in the course of a reciprocating movement of the roller 70 to and from the mandrel 53 which orients parallel thereto.

Block 66 is superposed by a plate 73 to form therewith an assembly of two parts having connected to their respectively adjacent surfaces racks 74 and 74. The latter are positioned to be vertically spaced and functionally related by an intermediately positioned pinion 75 in mesh therewith. A plate 76 fixedly superposed on the top plate unit 73 has a lateral projection which extends forwardly above and beyond the block 42 and has fixed in dependent relation to its projected extremity a bracket 77, including vertical plate portions. The latter are to one side and spaced longitudinally of the mandrel 53. Fixed to the dependent extremity of bracket 77 is an elongate plate 78 the inner edge of which positions in a line parallel to the mandrel 53. This line lies adjacent a slot in the plate 12 which is within and below the area of the slot in the reciprocal plate means 43 when the latter is in its strip feeding position. The edge of the plate 78 remote from mandrel 53 includes a vertically projected pin 79. Extending between, projecting through, and bearing in the longitudinally spaced vertical plate portions of bracket 77 is a pivot rod 80. The latter extends parallel to the shaft 39 and mandrel 53. A portion of the rod 80 extends beyond the bracket to fixedly mount a vertically inclined arm 81 which is resiliently backed at its uppermost extremity by a suitably anchored stress accommodating spring 81.

A plate 83 is welded to the top surface of rod 80, centered between the longitudinally spaced vertical plate portions of bracket 77. The plate 83 has at the bottom of one end portion remote from mandrel 53 a short vertically dependent pin surrounded by one end ofa coil spring 85, the other end of which seats about pin 79 to the plate 78 therebelow. The spring 85 is thus positioned to bias the plate 83 to incline downwardly to and to place its innermost edge immediately adjacent and under the mandrel 53. The plate 83 constitutes a feed table having means forming on the upper surface thereof a feed channel 87 leading to and inclined in the direction of the mandrel 53. The projected extremity of channel 87 lies immediately under the slotted portion of the mandrel as presented for receiving a strip element for winding thereon. This projected extremity of the feed table has a laterally angled slope to its one side edge which is most adjacent the block 42. Attention is directed to the fact that the channel 87 is defined by parallel blocks on the surface of the plate 83 one of which maybe laterally adjusted in reference to the other in order to create therebetween a feed channel of desired width.

Fixedly mounted on the table 12 to one side of control unit 57 is a vertically projected bracket 88. Fixed to bracket 88 to extend fore and aft of the table 12 is an elongate plate 89 which extends to one side of and in a sense parallel to the path of piston rod 60 of the control unit 57. The plate 89 mounts thereon a pneumatic cylinder providing a control unit 90 of conventional nature the piston rod 91 of which projects to reciprocate in a line parallel to that of the rod 60. The projected extremity of rod 91 has a fixed relation to a bar 92. The latter is at right angles to the rod 91 and an end portion thereof projects through and reciprocally bears in an elongate slot 94 in plate 89 and an opposite end portion thereof has fixed therein one end of a rod 95. The rod 95 extends parallel to the rod 91, past the housing of the control unit 90, and through a bearing fixed to the plate 89, to mount on the projected end thereof a sealing iron 96. The extremity of the latter moves adjacent and parallel to the block 66 to approach the mandrel 53 between the block 42 and roller 70 with the described apparatus positioned for the winding of a cartridge on the mandrel. Positioned immediately in advance of the block 42 is a gas jet for producing a flame directed to continuously maintain the adjacent sealing iron at a required temperature level. The plate 89 further mounts to the side thereof remote from the control unit 90 a switch 97 which is operated by the one end of bar 92 in the course of the reciprocating movement thereof by and with the piston rod 91.

A valve housing 98 mounting the switch 52' to one side of piston rod 47 has in connection therewith a conduit 99 for directing air thcrethrough to an interconnected jet discharge tube 100.

ln the embodiment illustrated there is a suitably controlled valve for cyclically directing air under pressure to the control unit 21 whereby to elevate the piston rod 22 and carry the anvil 23 through a period of travel limited by the anvil 19. Prior to this activation of the control unit 21, the anvil 23 is in its lowermost position and the block 42 is retracted to the left as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings to expose the mandrel 53 and the slot therein for feed thereto ofa strip material to be wound into a cartridge. At the same time roller 70 is in its most closely adjacent position to the mandrel and the feed plate 83 has the feed channel 87 therein define a path directly to and for channelling an abrasive strip, with its abrasive surface down, to have one end directed into the expanded portion 54 of the mandrel groove. Once the end of the strip is inserted, it is shifted laterally, by any suitable means, to the narrowed portion of the groove 54 to have one side edge thereof abut plate 56. The beveled inner edge portion ofthe feed plate facilitates this shifting of the strip without interference. It is noted that in the course of the feed there is spot-applied to the strip an adhesive glue material by contact with a suitably interposed brush connected with a glue pot. Since the details of this per se is within the skill of any mechanic, such is not further described, nor is such necessary for an understanding of the invention. I

At this point for commencement of a feed, the sealing iron 96 is retracted from the mandrel and under the influence of the steady heat of the gas flame provided as previously described. Attention is directed also to the fact that the form of the groove 54 is such to greatly facilitate the ready lateral movement of the strip to achieve the edge abutting relation to the rotatable bearing plate 56 which provides a rotatable end face on the block 42.

With the parts established in the position just described, the appropriate valve is energized to cause the anvil 23 to move upwardly. As it does, it carries therewith the rack 25 which through the connected gearing induces a rotation of the mandrel 53. As the mandrel rotates, the abrasive strip is wound swiftly thereon into a cartridge form, the abrasive surface being outward. In the winding process, the firm tightness of the resultant cartridge is due to the strip being contained by and moving the roller back against the springs 67. This is assisted by the feed plate 83 which also pivots downwardly to accommodate the winding of the strip. This last accommodation is resiliently absorbed by a spring 81' in backing relation to the arm 81 which pivots with the feed plate in the winding of the strip in a manner that should be readily apparent.

Returning to the upward movement of the anvil 23, as it reaches the upper limit of its travel, the arm 24 thereon engages the switch 32 adjacent thereto to close a circuit to a timer 102 shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings. The timer 102 opens a valve 103 to direct air under pressure to operate the control unit 90 to carry forward the sealing iron 96 between the block 42 and the roller 70. As the sealing iron moves forward, a tip thereof engages the rolled cartridge at an end portion adjacent the bearing plate 56, in the area of the strip to which heat sensitive adhesive was earlier applied. This seals together the layers of the cartridge. The valve 103 is one which automatically cycles so that there is an immediate return movement of the sealing iron in the course of which related bar 92 hits the switch 97 on the plate 89. This closes a circuit to the control unit 57 and energizes the solenoid 58 to direct air from a supply line to the unit 57, operating to retract the roller 70 and the feed table 83 from the mandrel 53. Attention is directed to the fact that the roller 70 and feed table 83 move oppositely as influenced by the pinion between the racks 74 and 74 associated with the block 66. With the differential movement created as described in reference to the racks 74 and 74, as block 66 is retracted rearwardly of the mandrel, it hits a switch 72 through the medium of the related arm 71. This closes a circuit to the control unit 49, energizing a related solenoid which operates to open a valve for the delivery ofair to the control unit, causing it to pull in its rod 47 and to move therewith the plate means 43 and the blocks 42 and 42'. In the process the block 42 moves longitudinally of the mandrel 53 to strip the finished cartridge therefrom. As the cartridge is stripped from the mandrel, it is discharged over aligned portions of openings in the plate 43 and the table 12. As the plate means 43 is shifted an arm 104 on the vertical segment 45 hits a switch 51 in the path thereof on one side while plate portion 46 on the piston 47 hits the switch 52' to the opposite side. Almost simultaneously, the switch 52 opens the valve 98 to provide for a jet of air to be directed at the strip wound cartridge as it is discharged and pressures it to move through the aligned openings in the plate 43 and table 12 and through a chute thereunder to a place of storage. The switch 51 energizes a solenoid related to the unit 49 to project its piston rod 47 and return the block 42 to its original position. In the process of the projecting movement of piston 47, the arm 104 thereon hits and closes the switch 51 to direct through the medium of solenoid 59 connected to the unit 57 that a supply of air be furnished to induce the projection of the piston rod 60 and the return of the roller 70 and the feed table 83 to their proper place to either side of the mandrel 53. Also, during the reciprocation of rod 60, the switch 52 is operated by a projection 42 thereon to influence the control valve 31 related to the control unit 21 to cycle air to the cylinder to retract the rack 25 and turn the mandrel 53 to turn its groove back to its proper strip receiving position.

It is noted, accordingly, that the system here described is completely automated. A cartridge is wound from strip form, sealed automatically in such form and automatically discharged. The advantages and economies are believed readily obvious. The cartridges so formed are consistently uniform. In this respect, the fact that a rotatable plate is provided as a bearing for the cartridge as it is wound avoids the normally anticipated wear entailed in such an operation and insures that the control end of the cartridge will always be square. This means that the resultant end product will operate most efficiently and be more durable than as provided in prior art apparatus and systems which require considerable labor and attendance, as well as time, in arriving at the end products.

lt will of course be obvious that the mechanism of the invention has in part been diagrammatic and schematic. Only such detail has been specifically described and illustrated as is essential for the invention to be practiced by one versed in the art. It will be further obvious the invention can be utilized for making cartridges or rolls of strip material which need not be abrasive.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any ofits advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes ofputting the invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for winding cartridges of abrasive strip and like formed materials comprising a mandrel, a support structure on which said mandrel is mounted, drive means operatively connected to produce a limited rotation of said mandrel, means providing a directed insertion of one end of a strip of material into a releasably engaged relation with said mandrel, means to continuously bias against relatively displaced portions of said strip whereby on rotation of said mandrel said strip will be tightly wound into cartridge form, sealing means for said cartridge including an intermittent sealing element operatively connected to be energized by said drive means in automatic response to a predetermined limited rotation of said mandrel, said sealing means being mounted for movement towards the periphery of said cartridge in an area thereof displaced from said biasing means while said cartridge is being held by said biasing means and for retraction therefrom, and means operatively responding to a retraction of said sealing means to automatically displace said biasing means and induce an axial release of said wound cartridge from said mandrel on sealing thereofinto its wound form.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterized by means for a directed channelling of said strip into a position to engage said mandrel and to apply adhesive to a portion thereof.

3. An automated system for winding cartridges of strip material, including a rotatable mandrel, means for interengaging a strip end with said mandrel, means for rotating said mandrel to wind the strip thereon to a cartridge form, means responsive to the operation of said rotating means for effecting in successive steps a securing of the strip in its wound form while on said mandrel to complete a cartridge unit and a relative longitudinal displacement of the formed cartridge unit and the mandrel to strip the cartridge therefrom, and means for a directed channeling of said strip into a position to engage said mandrel, said channeling means being provided in the form of a table for supporting a strip to advance thereon to said mandrel.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said table extends at one end to an adjacent relation to said mandrel, characterized by means incorporating a yield in the mounting of said table whereby said table may deflect responsive to a forming diameter of the cartridge while applying a continuing tension thereto.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said table is a part of means applying pressure to a forming cartridge from generally opposite sides thereof, said pressure applying means further including a spring biased roller, and means for achieving simultaneous relative separating and approaching motions of said table and roller facilitating formation of the cartridge and the stripping ofa formed cartridge from the mandrel.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said last named means operates to achieve a separating motion of said table and roller intermediately of the sealing of the cartridge and the stripping thereof from the mandrel.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein individual reciprocable actuators are comprised in the means to rotate said mandrel and in the means to seal a wound strip and in the means to achieve relative separating and approaching motions of the table and roller, characterized by controls responsive to reciprocation of said actuators effecting in successive dependent steps sealing of a wound strip, a relative separation of the table and roller and stripping of a formed cartridge from the mandrel.

8. An automated system for winding cartridges of strip material, including a rotatable mandrel, means for interengaging a strip end with said mandrel, means for rotating said mandrel to wind the strip thereon to a cartridge form, means responsive to the operation of said rotating means for effecting in successive steps a securing of the strip in its wound form while on said mandrel to complete a cartridge unit and a rela tive longitudinal displacement of the formed cartridge unit and the mandrel to strip the cartridge therefrom, and bearing means through which said mandrel extends including thereon means defining a flat planar surface providing a seat for one edge of the strip during winding thereof to achieve a flat squared-off base for at least one end of a formed cartridge while obviating wear effects at said one end, said flat planar surface being defined by a bearing plate mounted in said bearing means for free relative rotary motion.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized by said bearing means and bearing plate mounted therein forming an assembly adjustable in a longitudinal sense relative to said mandrel, the means stripping the cartridge from the mandrel effecting a relative reciprocable movement of said assembly.

10. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said mandrel has a longitudinal slot to receive a leading end of a strip advanced over said table toward the mandrel, said slot extending at one end at least to a bearing plate through which said mandrel projectsv 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said table is formed to facilitate a lateral adjustment of an introduced strip to seat a side edge thereof to said bearing plate.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by means automatically responsive to the displacement of the cartridge from said mandrel to effect pneumatic removal of a stripped cartridge.

13. An automated system for winding cartridges of strip material, including a rotatable mandrel, means for interengaging a strip end with said mandrel, means for rotating said mandrel to wind the strip thereon to a cartridge form, and means responsive to the operation of said rotating means for effecting in successive steps a securing the strip in its wound form while on said mandrel to complete a cartridge unit and a relative longitudinal displacement of the formed cartridge unit and the mandrel to strip the cartridge therefrom, the means effecting securing of a wound strip comprising a sealing iron movable in advancing and retracting strokes relative to the mandrel to make contact with a wound strip and to withdraw therefrom in an operation occurring in a timed relation to the operation of said mandrel rotating means.

14. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said table and said roller have respective independent reciprocable supports and are biased to relatively extended positions with respect thereto, characterized in that said means achieving relative separating and approaching motions of said table and roller has a common connection to said supports to effect simultaneous opposite reciprocation thereof.

15. Apparatus as in claim 1 characterized by means for maintaining a bias on said strip during winding thereof to produce a firm and tightly wound cartridge.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent: No. 3,552 364 Dat d March 2 1972 Inventor(s) Frank P. Ali

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col Z line 59 cancel "and", first occurrence;

game li 59 "back" should read racK Col. 7, Claim 1, line 5 thereof, the word for should be inserted after "providing" Signed and sealed this 12th day of September 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. I ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-IOSO (IO-69) USCOMM-DC GOING-P09 n 0.5. GOVERNMCNT PRINTING orncz: \ou o-3u-a:4 

1. Apparatus for winding cartridges of abrasive strip and like formed materials comprising a mandrel, a support Structure on which said mandrel is mounted, drive means operatively connected to produce a limited rotation of said mandrel, means providing a directed insertion of one end of a strip of material into a releasably engaged relation with said mandrel, means to continuously bias against relatively displaced portions of said strip whereby on rotation of said mandrel said strip will be tightly wound into cartridge form, sealing means for said cartridge including an intermittent sealing element operatively connected to be energized by said drive means in automatic response to a predetermined limited rotation of said mandrel, said sealing means being mounted for movement towards the periphery of said cartridge in an area thereof displaced from said biasing means while said cartridge is being held by said biasing means and for retraction therefrom, and means operatively responding to a retraction of said sealing means to automatically displace said biasing means and induce an axial release of said wound cartridge from said mandrel on sealing thereof into its wound form.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterized by means for a directed channelling of said strip into a position to engage said mandrel and to apply adhesive to a portion thereof.
 3. An automated system for winding cartridges of strip material, including a rotatable mandrel, means for interengaging a strip end with said mandrel, means for rotating said mandrel to wind the strip thereon to a cartridge form, means responsive to the operation of said rotating means for effecting in successive steps a securing of the strip in its wound form while on said mandrel to complete a cartridge unit and a relative longitudinal displacement of the formed cartridge unit and the mandrel to strip the cartridge therefrom, and means for a directed channeling of said strip into a position to engage said mandrel, said channeling means being provided in the form of a table for supporting a strip to advance thereon to said mandrel.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said table extends at one end to an adjacent relation to said mandrel, characterized by means incorporating a yield in the mounting of said table whereby said table may deflect responsive to a forming diameter of the cartridge while applying a continuing tension thereto.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said table is a part of means applying pressure to a forming cartridge from generally opposite sides thereof, said pressure applying means further including a spring biased roller, and means for achieving simultaneous relative separating and approaching motions of said table and roller facilitating formation of the cartridge and the stripping of a formed cartridge from the mandrel.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said last named means operates to achieve a separating motion of said table and roller intermediately of the sealing of the cartridge and the stripping thereof from the mandrel.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein individual reciprocable actuators are comprised in the means to rotate said mandrel and in the means to seal a wound strip and in the means to achieve relative separating and approaching motions of the table and roller, characterized by controls responsive to reciprocation of said actuators effecting in successive dependent steps sealing of a wound strip, a relative separation of the table and roller and stripping of a formed cartridge from the mandrel.
 8. An automated system for winding cartridges of strip material, including a rotatable mandrel, means for interengaging a strip end with said mandrel, means for rotating said mandrel to wind the strip thereon to a cartridge form, means responsive to the operation of said rotating means for effecting in successive steps a securing of the strip in its wound form while on said mandrel to complete a cartridge unit and a relative longitudinal displacement of the formed cartridge unit and the mandrel to strip the cartridge therefrom, and bearing means through whicH said mandrel extends including thereon means defining a flat planar surface providing a seat for one edge of the strip during winding thereof to achieve a flat squared-off base for at least one end of a formed cartridge while obviating wear effects at said one end, said flat planar surface being defined by a bearing plate mounted in said bearing means for free relative rotary motion.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized by said bearing means and bearing plate mounted therein forming an assembly adjustable in a longitudinal sense relative to said mandrel, the means stripping the cartridge from the mandrel effecting a relative reciprocable movement of said assembly.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said mandrel has a longitudinal slot to receive a leading end of a strip advanced over said table toward the mandrel, said slot extending at one end at least to a bearing plate through which said mandrel projects.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said table is formed to facilitate a lateral adjustment of an introduced strip to seat a side edge thereof to said bearing plate.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by means automatically responsive to the displacement of the cartridge from said mandrel to effect pneumatic removal of a stripped cartridge.
 13. An automated system for winding cartridges of strip material, including a rotatable mandrel, means for interengaging a strip end with said mandrel, means for rotating said mandrel to wind the strip thereon to a cartridge form, and means responsive to the operation of said rotating means for effecting in successive steps a securing the strip in its wound form while on said mandrel to complete a cartridge unit and a relative longitudinal displacement of the formed cartridge unit and the mandrel to strip the cartridge therefrom, the means effecting securing of a wound strip comprising a sealing iron movable in advancing and retracting strokes relative to the mandrel to make contact with a wound strip and to withdraw therefrom in an operation occurring in a timed relation to the operation of said mandrel rotating means.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said table and said roller have respective independent reciprocable supports and are biased to relatively extended positions with respect thereto, characterized in that said means achieving relative separating and approaching motions of said table and roller has a common connection to said supports to effect simultaneous opposite reciprocation thereof.
 15. Apparatus as in claim 1 characterized by means for maintaining a bias on said strip during winding thereof to produce a firm and tightly wound cartridge. 